Characteristics of Abusers
• 80% were abused as children or saw their mothers abused.
• Blame partners for their abusive behaviour.
• Place unrealistic expectations on partners in order to feel good about themselves.
• Are jealous and possessive of partners.
• Tend not to trust other people, and therefore tend not to share inner world with others.
• Have limited or no social network; partner is closest person they know.
• Highly emotionally dependent on partner; subject to depression known only to family.
• Tend to express all negative feelings as anger.
• Have low self-esteem.
• Get needs met by control, such as violence and threats.
• May threaten suicide if partner leaves.
• Represented across all socioeconomic, educational, racial, age and ethnic groups.
• Can be very pleasant outside of the home and very unkind at home.
• Frequently demanding and aggressive in sexual behaviour.
• Hold very traditional, stereotypical views of male-female roles and relationships.
• Lack sympathy for partner’s physical and emotional pain.
• Tend to minimize and deny the abuse.
